Sources: American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute
Bladder cancer usually occurs within the lining of the bladder, which stores the body’s urine, and can grow into the bladder wall. The exact causes of bladder cancer are unknown. Some of the symptoms for bladder cancer are quite similar to other non-cancer related illnesses. If detected early and treated, the overall five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 77 percent, and 96 percent for noninvasive bladder cancer.
The following may be symptoms of bladder cancer, but could be linked to other health conditions:
While there is no definite prevention method, people should do any or all of the following to reduce risk: practice safety precautions if you work with certain chemicals that have been linked to a higher bladder cancer incidence, don’t smoke, eat a well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, and consume plenty of liquids.
Bladder cancer, depending on the stage, may be treated by different members of the cancer care team – urologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Treatment options vary depending on how advanced the cancer is and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Physicians will determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient, but in 90 percent of cases will perform surgery alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, intravesical therapy, or chemotherapy.
